Portage derived its name from a small town in
Wisconsin (U.S.A) where the first home-teaching scheme began in
1969-a place which was Portage or a crossover from body of water
to land. This is how it is used as a crossover or bridge-a way of
transferring knowledge and skills from Professionals to
Para-Professionals and to Non-Professionals.

Why is it called Portage

It is also known as Portage because the
services are carried out to the door-step of the needy. The term
Portage is now being used as

a concept

an educational construct

an educational service

Founders of Portage Service The classic portage model was developed by
David Shearer & Marsha Shearer in 1972. It has been adapted and
tried in India under various Models by the President of INPA Prof.
Tehal Kohli and her team of workers since 1980.

How does it Work Trained home advisors can weekly visit the home
or pre-school education centres and can study the child with
special needs. Parents or pre-school educators then can decide
what the child can learn in the coming week. Long and difficult
tasks can be broken down into easily achievable tasks and can be
practiced daily. Parents/pre-school educators can keep a record of
child's progress on an activity chart describing each teaching
activity.